MCL 257.742(1) authorizes a police officer to stop a vehicle, detain the driver, and issue a citation for any witnessed violation of the Michigan Vehicle Code or civil infraction. The Michigan Supreme Court has stated that “[t]he constitution requires an ‘individualized, articulable suspicion’ for a stop in the absence of traffic or equipment violations.” People v Burrell, 417 Mich 439, 450, 339 NW2d 403 (1983).

“In order to effectuate a valid traffic stop, a police officer must have an articulable and reasonable suspicion that a vehicle or one of its occupants is subject to seizure for a violation of law.” People v Williams, 236 Mich App 610, 612, 601 NW2d 138 (1999).​Often the officer will not ticket the individual for the offense for which he or she was stopped. This does not invalidate the arrest as long as the officer had a valid reason for the initial stop.